Dr Who 60th Anniversary Specials — The Giggle — A Review

9th December, 2023: the Intro.

Right … I have a potato, in the oven!

A baking potato.

A big, baking potato!

Which … is possibly not something you want to know about!

At any rate … ?

If you’re a Dr Who fan, you’ll be interested to hear that an animated version of the William Hartnell story, The Celestial Toymaker, is due to be released in January 2024.

You’ll also know that today is 9th December: that “The Giggle”, the last of the Dr Who 60th anniversary specials, is to air on BBC1, at 18:30.

I’m looking forward to that.

I’ll be watching it.

Then post the rest of this review on 10th December.

I’ll let you know what the spud’s like … 

~≈👽≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — Wild Blue Yonder — A Review

2nd December: an introduction.

Right … 

Any minute now, I’m going to be eating a bacon sandwich: for lunch.

This evening?

I’ll be having an early dinner … then watching “Wild Blue Yonder”, the next Doctor Who 60th anniversary special episode.

I’ll have this review done, by tomorrow night!

Hopefully?

You’ll be back to read it: or to watch the video review!

~≈👽≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — The Star Beast — A Review

25th November, 2023: the Introduction.

Right … 

I’ve started this piece a little earlier than I normally would.

It’s some roughly five to four on a Saturday afternoon.

And?

I’m going to grab dinner in a minute.

Then?

Once I’ve washed up, and put everything away?

I’ll be settling in with a cup of tea, and a comfy chair.

And be watching The Star Beast: the first of three special episodes of Dr Who, designed to celebrate the show’s sixtieth anniversary.

Will it be any good … ?

We’ll have to see, won’t we?

~≈👽≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — Talking Doctor Who — A Review.

1st November, 2023: Talking Doctor Who.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And, frankly?

I’m roasting a potato or two: in anticipation of dinner.

‘In anticipation of dinner’ … ?

That’s possibly a little too pretentious, even for me.

At any rate: I’m doing dinner: one that shouldn’t take too long.

As I want to catch Talking Doctor Who — on BBC Four — tonight.

Without having to worry too about how much time I’ve got.

~≈👽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 9th May, 2022

9th May, 2022.

It’s officially official: it’s Monday.

You’d noticed, hadn’t you?

It’s also the after the UK’s TV BAFTA’s were handed out.

Where actor, Ncuti Gatwa, had been nominated for Best Male Comedy Performance.

The reason’s that significant?

Is that the ceremony was yesterday: the same day Ncuti’s casting as the Fourteenth Doctor was announced.

I have to admit, yesterday?   Was the first time I’d heard of him.

To the point I had to Google how to pronounce his name.

It’s SHOE-ti GAT-wa, it seems.

Apparently, he’s done rather well for himself in the Netflix series, Sex Education.

There’s possibly a lot to say there: that I’ve possibly already covered.

I wish him luck, and am looking forward to his taking over.

We’ll possibly get to see him in (initial) action when he takes over: some time in October*, when Jodie Whittaker’s last episode airs …

~≈Ê≈~

Ncuti Gatwa — The Fourteenth Doctor.

8th May, 2022.

You’ve possibly worked out one thing, over the years I’ve been writing this blog.

That I’m a fan of TV show, Doctor Who.

So tend to look forward to the Big Announcement.

The one that happens each few years.

The one that’s been on fans mind since Jodie Whittaker announced — a few months ago, now — that she would be leaving.

Yes: that Big Announcement.

Who’s been cast as the new Doctor Who.

The news got out, today.

Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa* has been cast the Fourteenth Doctor: and will be taking over in 2023.

Good luck to him.

~≈Ê≈~

Saying that?   I have a concern.

I’ve got no doubts Russell T. Davies has made a good choice in casting Ncuti Gatwa.

Ncuti’s not someone I’ve seen in anything: so I’m taking Davies’ decision on trust.

I know Ncuti’s had an award or two for his role in Sex Education, and been nominated for more.

My concern?

Is fan reaction.

I have no problem — at least, I hope I have no problem! — with Ncuti’s colour.

As long as he’s capable of acting the part, and acting the part well — and has the stamina to deal with the inevitable publicity — that should be enough for any of us.

But I’m very aware of human nature.

Very aware that — much as some complained about Jodie Whittaker’s casting as the first woman in the role — there will be people complaining about, and objecting to, his casting purely because he’s black.

I think that’s extremely objectionable.

What matters is his ability to perform in the role, not the colour of his skin.

I’m also aware that the last Dr Who convention I was at was a few years ago.

And?   I can’t recall seeing any ethnic minority fans, there.

I can’t tell you if that’s changed.

But it’s a sad reflection on how welcoming Dr Who fandom can be: especially given my own personal knowledge of at least one fan who (speaking in private to me) objected to Freema Agyeman being cast … because of the colour of her skin.

That’s not good.

Especially when you consider how diverse, and welcoming, the cast and fans of Star Trek seem to be.

That’s lack of diversity on Dr Who?

Means hiring someone like Ncuti is long overdue.

Hopefully?

The BBC will be providing support for Ncuti: and some sort of protection from whatever flak does turn up.

Hopefully?

His casting will have a long lasting, and good, effect on Doctor Who.

*        Going by interviews and announcements?   His name’s pronounced ‘shoe-ti GAT-wa.’   I’m grateful Google found a couple of interviews where he introduces himself!   I’ve also had to teach my computer’s dictionary how to spell his name: it though he was Nuclear Gateaux … 

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th January, 2021.

4th January, 2021.

Right … with all due apologies?

Today’s intro includes a rather sad joke you can pull off with a pair of tongs.

On an upside?

I boil washed my teatowels, yesterday: the tongs come in handy for fishing them out of the big pot.

On an equal upside?

The earworm’s gone: after a bout of the Barron Knights.

Nope, I’m not telling you what the original earworm was: you’ll never get rid of it!

~≈🌽≈~

While we’re at it … ?

You’re possibly aware that I listen to Radio 4’s Today programme: and, usually?   I don’t expect it to collide with Dr Who, one of my favourite TV shows.

It did, this morning.

With the presenter telling us that — according to a few UK tabloids — Jodie Whittaker will be leaving Dr Who, after the thirteenth series.

That’s a disappointment, if it’s the case.

Covid 19 — and, I suspect, budget reductions — have meant she’s done a lot less work than her predecessors.

We’ll have to wait for an official announcement from either her, or the BBC.

But … ?

I have to ask what the odds are for a very competent black British actor being cast in the role, full time?

Considering one has already been offered the role, and apparently, turned it down?

~≈👩🏻‍⚕️≈~